Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control the burning of a lean hydrocarbon containing gas stream under stable conditions using a combination of control logic and hardware. Temperature within the combustor is controlled by using a plurality of staging valves that adjust the amount of oxygen and auxiliary fuel supplied to the combustor burner. Oxygen level is controlled by using actuated butterfly valves that control the flow of primary air to the combustor. The system has pressure control valves for anticipating and compensating for pressure changes and resulting air flow changes as well as temperature monitors and transmitters for anticipating and correcting temperature drops.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing particulate and gaseous pollutants from flue gas. The flue gas enters a presaturation section and is treated with a coarse spray of solution recovered from the system. The saturated gas enters a primary contacting section and is contacted by an ultrafine mist of fresh solution containing a gaseous pollutant absorption agent. The fine mist has an average droplet size of approximately 20 microns. The gas moves to a secondary contacting section where it is contacted by a coarse spray of recirculated solution. If necessary, the gas is demisted. Finally, the gas is discharged into the environment. Usable spent solution is regenerated and reused. Unusable water byproducts containing contaminants are discharged.

Abstract: A method for reducing the undesirable contaminants in process water produced in pyrolysis of low rank coal. The method uses the process water to quench and rehydrate a char produced by pyrolysis with the contaminants in the waster water being absorbed by the char.